COMPANION PLANTING GUIDE

Gardeners have been planting marigolds in the vegetable garden to repel pests for years, but there are many other companion planting combinations to try. Companion plants are selected upon their ability to enhance one another’s growth, flavour, pest and disease resistance, and weed suppression. Until recently, evidence of the benefits of companion planting has been largely anecdotal, but due to increased interest and research in organic growing methods, there is a growing body of controlled scientific data that substantiates what many have practiced for years.

Traditional Companions

Crop

Traditional Friends

(growth enhancers)

Traditional Enemies

(growth hinderers)

Asparagus

Tomatoes repel asparagus beetle; parsley and basil help growth

 

Onion family
BeansPotatoes repel Mexican bean beetles; corn improves growth; rosemary repels insects; catnip repels flea beetles; celery helps growthOnion family, fennel, gladiolus
Beets

Onion family repels insects

 

Pole beans

Cabbage family (broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, kohlrabi)

 

Celery repels cabbage worms; onion family deters maggots, rosemary, sage, thyme repel insectsPole beans, strawberries, tomatoes
Carrots

Peas add nutrients; onion family repels carrot flies; rosemary and sage repel insects

 

Dill
CeleryCabbage repels insects

Carrots, parsnips

 

Corn

Beans and peas add nutrients; potatoes repel insects

 

Tomatoes
Cucumbers

Radishes deter cucumber beetles; beans add nutrients

 

Potatoes, sage
Eggplant

Green beans deter Colorado potato beetles; potatoes can be used as a trap plant

 

None
Lettuce

Carrots, radishes

 

None
Melons

Corn; nasturtiums and radishes repel cucumber beetles

 

None

Onion family (onions, leeks, garlic, shallots, scallions, chives)

 

Beets, carrotsBeans, peas
PeasCarrots, turnips

Onion family; gladiolus

 

PeppersCarrots

Fennel, kohlrabi

 

PotatoesBeans and corn repel insects; use eggplant as a trap plant

Apples, pumpkins, raspberries, tomatoes

 

PumpkinsCorn

Potatoes

 

RadishesCucumbers repel insects, lettuce

Hyssop

 

SpinachStrawberries

Potatoes

 

SquashCorn

Potatoes

 

Swiss chardOnion family

Pole beans

 

Tomatoes

Asparagus and basil repel insects; parsley helps growth

 

potatoes

Source: How Does Our Garden Grow? A Guide to Community Gardening Success

Adapted from: Marjorie B. Hunt & Brenda Bortz, High-Yield Gardening. (Emmaus, Pa.: Rodale Press, 1986)